ASN at community college, then BSN?

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I was a pre-med bio major at a 4 year university, and it turns out being away from home and in a big school really isn't working for me. My grades really took a turn for the worse, and now so has my confidence because I have never, ever struggled with school, and it wasn't for lack of effort, either. I had a 4.9 GPA in hs and got a 30 on my ACT, and my current GPA is around a 1.8.

I'm now coming home and am planning on going into nursing-my mom was a nurse and my aunt is as well, so I'd have a lot of help from my aunt. However, I was planning on going to my community college and trying to get into their nursing program and get my associates, then go to a university after for my bachelors. My aunt seems to think that's not a good idea and that I should just go for my BSN right away because it will save time and I'll get better training. I know that I won't get in to a 4 year school, even if I explain the circumstances, and I really don't see an issue in doing it the way I planned, but I could just have no idea what I'm talking about. The time is really not all that important to me, if it takes me an extra year, or two, even, I'd be more than okay with that.

I was just wondering if I could get some of your opinions on whether or not it will be a big deal doing it the way I had planned, and what you would suggest fors omeone in my position. I'm sorry this is so long, I tend to give too much info!

Thanks,

Julie

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There is nothing wrong with going ASN then bridging to get your BSN..lots of ppl do it. better training depends on the program..some BSN programs suck...some ADN programs suck....you need to do your research..its not universal that BSNs are better or ADNs are better.

since you were pre med you probably took classes that would be required as pre reqs for nursing programs. you have to do well in your science classes...nursing school IS COMPETITIVE!!!!! some schools go by your total GPA ...your best chance is to pick a school that only looks at your pre req gpa.

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Are you SURE that you won't be accepted to a 4 year college? You never know :)

Otherwise, I see no problem with that plan - in fact, that is what I am doing! In order to attend a 4 year college I was going to have to take different pre-requisites and gain more volunteer experience. For me, the CC route was the easiet, quickest way for me. So I applied and got in. I am set to start this fall.

In the last semester of my 2nd year, I will begin in a bachelor's program that is in agreement with my CC - that way I will gain my BSN the following year (but be able to work as an RN in the meantime).

We all might have the same goal - but there are lots of ways to get there! Just make sure to do what is best for you :)

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It all depends on the situation and only YOU truly understand your own situation. Yes, a traditional BSN may be faster. Is it right for everyone? No, because there are SO many factors to include: money, family circumstances, how much stress you handle best, etc, etc...

Many ASN programs have agreements in place with a 4 year university where you can transfer in as soon as you are done with your ASN as long as you have made good grades in the program. This would be great for you since it would give you time to "make up" for older grades.

I am doing the exact same thing right now for many reasons. Getting your ASN in two years and then transferring into an RN-BSN program might be slightly longer, but has many other benefits for people with families, people who underperformed in school and really want a fresh start, etc...

GO FOR IT. Do it whatever way you are comfortable with. The end result is the same, so who cares how you get there? That's been my motto anyways :)

BEST OF LUCK!!!!

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I'm in the exact same boat as you are. I graduated first in my high school class with an ACT of 31 and tons of scholarships. I attended a local 4 year university on scholarship, in the honors program, for a 3 years until my grades started dropping. I was having trouble at home and then finally moved out and tried to work 3 part time jobs while being in school fulltime. Eventually I was suspended for a term due to my 1.8 gpa and decided to take some time off to sort things out.

After being out for two years, I am now taking pre-nursing prereqs at a community college, have a 4.0 gpa there while working one fulltime job, and am applying for ASN in September. They only look at grades in anatomy 1 and 2 and micro, and calculate points based on those and the teas test score. If I am accepted, I plan to start a mostly online ASN to BSN degree as soon as I finish. Good luck to you and just know you're not alone in this situation

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

be careful. i like adn program but depending on where you live, bsn only grads are hired...

if your looking to getting a job, go to get your bsn and save your time

if you absolutely have to do adn, go for it but bridge asap!

good luck

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Interesting rationale... I'm actually going to a CC for my ADN because they have an AMAZING pass rate for the NCLEX and are known for making great nurses. I can then do a bridge program almost entirely online from an amazing school, all while keeping the price down and having a more flexible schedule for my family. I think your choice is going to depend on what is most important to you. In my case, it's less expensive and not much more time to do a ADN and then BSN-bridge. You can't do a BSN entirely online if you don't have an ADN first, so by doing that, you open yourself up to MUCH better schools than just what is in your area.

As a side note, I don't know if my area is an exception to the rule, but it's incredibly hard to get into the CC nursing program, so you may want to verify what requirements each school is looking at to make yourself more competitive. Because they are more affordable, they are getting a high number of applicants due to the poor economy. Take some classes at your CC and once you raise your GPA, reevaluate where you stand and see what your possibilities are. Good luck!

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aside from all the negativity here on the board about finding work with an ASN (which is not what I'm hearing from my real-life colleagues by the way, and I work in a hospital), to me it makes total sense, especially if you plan to work your way through school at all. With an ASN you can make pretty decent money - starts at 24-25 per hour here - which makes it that much easier to support yourself or at least augment your income while working toward a BSN and anything else. Plus as has been noted, you can bring up your GPA and broaden your options considerably. I plan to get my ASN and while I don't really want to continue school (I've already done a lot of school) if i have the opportunity and i'm not too burned out, i might continue - i know i'll be a much stronger position financially, and experience is just as important as education. An experienced ASN with a new BSN is going to be a hell of a lot more marketable than a new grad BSN with no experience. I got an AA years ago and I found the school to be more student-centered and supportive than four-year colleges, it was just what I needed. I dont' know if I'll have the same experience, but I have a friend here going for an NP at a very prestigious in-hospital program and he says the community college I've picked is extremely well regarded by employers.

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